Nov. – A sink hole that opened and threatened to “swallow up” the lab center and stadium, wreaked havoc on life as we know
it here at Liberty H.S. Classes were moved to the Commons Building and Classroom Center, and the football games to Lehigh
University’s Taylor Field. This also created a headache for Ray Hoffert and his concession stand crew (or “hustlers” as they
were known). The minutes read: “Because the three remaining games could not be played at the stadium, the concession stands
had a large supply of stock left. Mr. Hoffert was able to deplete most of it by selling it to Lehigh U. and returning some to
the distributor.” [Thanks for coming to the rescue, again, Ray!]

Sept. – The band broke tradition, departing from a field show format comprised exclusively of block drill.
The minutes read: “He [Ron Sherry] made mention of the band using a curvilinear form this year instead of the usual straight lines.”

Nov. – Lehigh University/James Madison Football Game

1981

April – St. Petersburg Festival of States – 1st place, parade; this was the first time a band had won the Governor’s
Cup on three separate occasions. (photos: Festival of States, St. Petersburg Times)

May – LHS Orchestra exchange with Massapequa, NY

Sept. -Miss America Parade, Atlantic City, 1st place [The band was drenched by parade’s end, as it rained non-stop just after
the LHSGB stepped-off.]

Nov. – King Frost Parade, Hamburg, Pa, 1st place

Dec. – The Coldstream Guards Band performs at Stabler Arena during their 1981 North American Tour. A Globe-Times article
reports: “Late in the show, word about the Liberty Band’s presence and style had reach Lt. Col. R.A. Ridings, Coldstream Guards
musical director. The audience broke into thunderous applause when [the Coldstream Band and Scot Dragoon pipers] played ‘Rule
Britannia’. It was one of two selections performed as a tribute to Bethlehem’s Liberty High School Band, which was well represented
in the audience. the tribute was so spontaneous that it caught the staging technicians off-guard. There was no time to supply
Ridings with a microphone and his words went unheard by many in the audience. But the crown lost little time in what was happening.
Their cheers brought smiles to several of the usually straight-faced guards. ”

1982

Aug. – Sesquicentennial Parade, Tamaqua, Pa, 1st place

– With the addition of the ninth grade level to Liberty H.S., the band’s membership swelled to its greatest number, ever – 278.

May – After 36 years at Liberty, Principal Charles Klein retires. To honor Mr. Klein, who was always a staunch supporter of music at
Liberty, the band marched two miles from the high school to his house. A Globe-Times article reports: “By the time the procession
arrived on Bethlehem’s Kemmerer St. at 11:15 am, the surprise tribute planned by 250 members was augmented by 200 to 300 other
people. ‘I felt like a pied piper,’ said band director Ron Sherry.” And, in the Morning Call, Mr. Klein recalls: “My wife said, Charles,
I think you should come to the front door.’ .I was overwhelmed by the tribute to my efforts and services.” (photo: T. E. Jenson)

Aug. – 3rd generation of Grenadier uniforms arrive.

– Hazleton Funfest Parade, Outstanding Band (256 members)

Sept. – Miss America Parade, Atlantic City, 1st place

Nov. – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NYC

1984

April – St. Petersburg Festival of States – 1st place, parade (The LHSGB shattered its own record, winning the Governor’s Cup for an
unprecedented fourth time.)

Nov. – Last year that the LHS Band/Orchestra parents run concession stands at football games.

1986

March – The LHSGB travels to London for a joint concert with Her Majesty’s Band of the Coldstream Guards. Ours was the first high school band
to perform in Royal Albert hall and the first to march in Trafalgar Square since VE Day (where traffic came to a halt for the LHSGB).

We also visited/performed at the Royal Military School of Music and enjoyed a home-stay/joint concert with the Bristol Unicorn Band.(photos: Christmas City Studios)